UAE-Team Emirates has confirmed the signing of Spanish rider David de la Cruz for the seasons 2020 and 2021.

After many rumours that linked him with different teams, the Emirati formation has confirmed the move of De la Cruz from Ineos, where he arrived in 2018. The Spaniard -who took a step to the WorldTour with Deceuninck-Quick-Step- has a palmares that includes stage wins in races like Paris-Nice, the Vuelta a España and the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.

"When I received the proposal from UAE and after speaking with the team manager Matxin, it was everything I needed from a cycling point of view," said the rider. "The UAE Team Emirates project to become a reference within cycling is ambitious and it has solid plans in place to work towards this goal.

"In the next two seasons, I hope to contribute to this project by being able to perform at my highest level. I really want to give my best and I'm sure that at UAE Team Emirates I'll be in the right place to do that."

UAE-Team Emirates' team manager Joxean Matxin welcomed the rider to the team. "David is a rider who has the right experience to fully exploit his talent and immediately be a reliable part of our team in key races," he commented.

"His climbing talent, combined with his strength in time trials, has led him to win stages in top-level races and to wear leaders jerseys."